JCC supervisors OK rezoning request for new housing development

James City County’s Board of Supervisors greenlighted a rezoning request to bring a new housing development to the Lightfoot area.

The details: The approval will allow for the construction of a 47-residence development – with 27 single-family homes and 20 duplexes – on about 16 acres of land located on Old Mooretown Road and Clark Lane. The site is near Sentara Regional Medical Center. 

• The new homes will be between 1,100 and 1,400 square feet and will include three bedrooms and two bathrooms. A small park and a playground will also be developed.

Affordability: During the Board of Supervisors’ regular meeting on June 11, Principal Planner Thomas Wysong said the developer is committed to making “100%” of the proposed units affordable. 

• Eight of the homes will be built by Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg. The remaining units will be sold to families earning between 30 and 120% of the area median income (AMI). 
• At least a quarter of the homes will be reserved for families earning less than 80% of the AMI, which is currently $100,700.
• According to a county staff report, a family earning 30% of the AMI could afford a home costing up to $108,250. However, an “affordable” home geared toward a family earning up to 120% of the AMI could cost up to $425,250.

Some concerns: While the county’s staff report confirms that the homes in the new development meet the criteria for affordable housing, Supervisor John McGlennon pointed out that the price point of some of the homes is still out of reach for many local families.

• “120% winds up being a fairly expensive home,” McGlennon said.